Plant Tissue Analysis Tests and Fees for Research

Standard Analysis for Most Crops: Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron (B), sodium (Na), and aluminum (Al).

  • In-State                        $12.00
  • Out-of-State                 $25.00

Standard Analysis for Strawberries and Cotton: In addition to the standard analysis, strawberry and cotton samples automatically receive petiole nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N). Petiole NO3-N levels are used to monitor real-time nitrogen status of these crops throughout the growing season and is standard practice in much of the Southeast.

  • In-State:                        $14.00
  • Out-of-State:              $27.00

Standard Analysis for Brassicas, Spinach, Alfalfa and Poinsettia: In addition to the standard analysis, these crops automatically receive molybdenum (Mo) due to high need for this nutrient.

  • In-State:                       $14.00
  • Out-of-State:              $27.00

*Optional Tests for Any Crop:

  • ‡ Heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Se)    $20
  • Nitrate (NO3-N)         $2.00
  • Molybdenum (Mo)   $2.00
  • Chloride (Cl)               $2.00

*Optional tests are available only in addition to the standard analysis, not as stand-alone tests.         ‡Heavy metals are available only for research purposes with a valid research agreement from a university, government agency, or private scientific research institute. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Payment Methods

Reports are not released until paid in full.  

  • Check:  Make checks payable to NCDA&CS.
  • Credit card: Reports can be paid online via the customer report portal (PALS) by Visa or Mastercard when analysis is complete.  If you have trouble and need to pay over the phone, you can reach out to our accounting department at (919) 664-1600 Option 3.
  • Escrow account:  To set up or add funds to an escrow account with the Agronomic Division, please contact the accounting department at (919) 664-1600 Option 3.
  • Internal departmental or agency transfer: Contact the Agronomic Division accounting department at (919) 664-1600 Option 3.

Please direct all billing and payment questions to AgronomicAccounting@ncagr.gov or (919) 664-1600 Option 3.

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This page was last modified on 02/02/2026